After a Fire in Your Home, Get Rid of These Things
After being exposed to heat, smoke, and the chemicals used by firefighters to put out the fire not everything should be salvaged. The items that you toss should include food, medicines, cosmetics and burned clothing.
Food Safety Can Be a Big Concern After a Fire
A fire can devastate not only the home itself, but your belongings inside, many times even down to the food left in the refrigerator and the cabinets. The high heat from a fire can activate bacteria, resulting in spoilage that may not be immediately recognized. Any food that is open, in a cardboard container or a thin paper bag should immediately be tossed. Jarred and canned food may be a little harder to judge. The telltale signs that the food should be thrown out include bulging or charred cans or fire extinguisher dust on the can.
Just as susceptible to spoiling after a fire are medicine and cosmetics kept in the home. If these items show any signs of exposure to heat, soot or fire extinguisher dust they should be put in the trash.
Soft Contents and Textiles Can Be Saved with the Right Cleaning
Many homeowners feel an attachment to clothing, blankets and children’s stuffed animals. These items don’t necessarily need to be thrown out after a fire, but if they have been exposed to smoke, soot or extinguisher dust, the right professional cleaning will be needed.
Soil-Away utilizes the Esporta Wash System for cleaning these types of soft contents after a fire. This wash system is effective at removing any lasting smoke, soot or dust that it left on the item. Salvaging these belongings can make a big difference to a family that has lost so much already.
For the best chance at salvaging your belongings after a fire, hire a professional restoration company offering soft contents cleaning like Soil-Away. You can reach Soil-Away at 603-641-6555.
